Voices of Action

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Yimeng “Stacy” Zhao

“There’s no specific place in China that I call home. When people ask, I tell them I’m from Beijing but due to frequent relocations, I had become adept at “There’s no specific place in China that I call home. When people ask, I tell them I’m from Beijing but due to frequent relocations, I had become adept at making a home wherever I lived.

Most of my academic years, the environment had been highly competitive. For highschool, I moved to a smaller boarding school, and so, for undergraduate, I had always wanted to attend a big university – bustling campuses, skyscrapers, and a constant buzz of activity.”

“But then I found myself at Bard. At first, I was skeptical whether this small community would be enough for someone who had always envisioned a grander experience. Bard exceeded my expectations in almost every aspect. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie among students — an environment where learning wasn't a race.”

“In the US, engaging in political discussions seems to be a household phenomenon. Whether it's within families, at schools, or among friends, discourse permeates every aspect of American life. Coming from China, this was a striking surprise for me, where discussions about politics are often reserved for specific contexts and individuals, typically government officials or scholars. It's not customary for everyday citizens to engage in political conversations.”

“China, for me, had always been a place of homogeneity, and international exposure truly began in the US. Aspects of China's societal framework may not make sense by Western standards — strict censorship, the absence of platforms like Google & Instagram. I've learned the importance of critically exploring differences without blindly accepting the Western viewpoint as the ultimate truth. I hope to explore these colonial intricacies more, recognizing that what might appear "right" in one cultural context isn't an absolute standard for the rest of the world. I remain cautious not to fall into the trap of simply embracing the hegemonic perspective and keen on critiquing the nuances and complexities of both Chinese and American systems, without assuming that one side's view represents the only valid perspective.”

Yimeng “Stacy” Zhao ‘26 - Beijing
Article: Ariha Shahed ‘26 (@ariiiiiiiiiiha )
Photo: Sameem Sarabi ‘24 (@sameem.sarabi )

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Farman H. Sayem

"I come from Comilla, Bangladesh and students in small cities like mine don't always pay attention to extracurriculars or interests, sadly.

While we use online videos to learn to code, city dwellers in big metropolitans receive individual tutors and tons of books & resources. From individual passion, I had found many answers in my adventures, but somehow it was always the new challenges that would excite me the most."

"When I was 7, I'd never play with my model ice-cream vans, sports cars, or brightly fashioned toy guns. Instead, I observed the same monotonous music & movements before they'd all face the wrath of my screwdriver, as I salvaged all their inner parts with surgical precision. As I grew older, green circuit boards & loudspeaker magnets in my balcony substituted my toys. I felt like a "scientist" in my "laboratory"

"When I founded a science club to help students like me to compete in International Olympiads, especially girls who came forward in STEM, I realized the importance of hands-on experiences. I was offered the Distinguished Scientist Scholarship at Bard. For my undergraduate studies, I decided to apply in the US primarily due to the fluidity of the academic space. The dynamic back home is different from the one here - there's a sense of hierarchy - students don't always find the means to develop close relationships with professors. The connections here act as motivation & open doors for you. We often lack funds & resources for large scale research programs that students like me find access to here. My experience at Bard Student Research Institute, collaborating with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Columbia University has been invaluable.”

"As a tech-enthusiast, I feel incredibly proud to witness all the developments in Bangladesh's Tech Industry. We have seen a rise in start-ups recently, with the popularity of '10-Min-School', & bike-taxi service 'Pathao' that's currently operating in Nepal too. Young people are coming forward & revolutionizing both the education & digital sectors -can't wait to see what's next!"

Farman H. Sayem '25 - Comilla
Article - Ariha Shahed '26
Photo - Sameem Sarabi '24 (@sameem.sarabi )

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Arielle Orem Gowe

“My name is Arielle and I'm from Baltimore City Maryland. I think Bard is definitely the best fit for me, I honestly found out about Bard by accident when I was looking for different schools that were not going to be in my hometown. Looking at the different photographs of the school really got me interested in applying to Bard. I like that at Bard we are a little isolated because that kind of forces you to focus more on your academics and work. I'm really happy that I came to Bard and I think especially with the staff and students here, I really made some pretty awesome friends and had a lot of more opportunities for open discussion which I think we aren't always allowed, especially in different settings.”
“I'm currently a sophomore and I'm majoring in sociology. My main interest in sociology is the function of capitalism and how that intersects with different forms of oppression. My first priority is getting into a Law school and after hopefully graduating from Law School, I am hoping to do work surrounding prison abolition, and if possible I'd like to continue researching sociology."

“I enjoy going to the gym and I really like going on hikes. I’m also really into doing collage art whenever I can and I love all kinds of music. My favorite colors are pink and green and I'm a Taurus. I try to keep myself relatively busy and there's certainly no end to the things that either need to be done or can be done. I am allergic to bananas and I found out about it here, so Bard has kind of helped me in more ways than one. All in all, I’m so happy to be at Bard, I think it has helped me grow as a human and motivates me to help make a change in the world.”

Arielle Orem Gowe - Maryland
Article: Sameem Sarabi ‘24
Photo: Sameem Sarabi ‘24

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Ebelyn Velasco

“I first came to Bard in the summer, with the Office of Equity and Inclusion program, part of a network that supports students; often with identities historically underrepresented in higher education, seek access to a liberal arts education. It was a great experience, and we had the campus all to ourselves. Once the semester started, there was a slight shift, as it became harder to get accustomed to the student-body, often feeling the pressure to cult-switch: put up an act around others to feel accepted. It is alright not feel comfortable around everyone, it's something that should come naturally. I believe that Bard does not define me, if anything, I have the opportunity to define Bard.”

“I am a club-head for the Latin American Students Organization. We are focused on promoting and educating others on our culture, in a campus where it is not often represented, through dance nights, music or food. I also work for Gilson place; a safe place for people of colour, a place that is meant just for us. People are constantly cooking or playing games, it really feels like walking into a real home. Building a strong community is something that is always in the works - we are constantly preparing for events or brainstorming ways to develop. It can get time-consuming and stressful, but I love providing for my community and sharing my culture, it is something that truly warms my heart. Experiencing the results and seeing the smiles on people's faces is very gratifying”

“I think Bard does an amazing job with facilitating a variety of organizations. Cultural clubs are places where students find second homes at college. Getting involved is so important, but also a great way to socialize and meet people. I feel like a part of a mural of voices; what keeps me motivated is being able to hear the experiences and aspirations of others; letting people know that they are taken care of, and that everyone can feel at home. Bard has pushed me to take up space for myself, be comfortable with who I am and take pride in my achievements.”

Ebelyn Velasco ‘26 - Brooklyn, NY

Article: Robin Kaiküll ‘26
Photo: Sameem Sarabi ‘24

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Yadier Peréz

“I’ve grown so much here at Bard as a theatre & performance major. I act, sing, perform and also write plays & poetry. I’ve connected with like-minded individuals who come from backgrounds different to my own, with their individual struggles & ambitions. I am a POSSE Puerto Rico Arts Scholar at BARD OEI. There are 9 of us this year — and in them, I've found a sense of community. The OEI Office has been extremely supportive & has given a space for the scholars & individuals of color.”

“I was born & raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a tiny piece of land in the Caribbean. Most of my family is from the beautiful mountains, so I consider myself a Campo boy. For a long time my siblings and I had lived in the Barrio. We had gotten used to taking multiple transports every morning to school & our mother worked really hard to move us out into a safer neighborhood. Living amidst the chaos of the city my whole life, I’ve found myself in love with the scenic & beautiful atmosphere at Bard that reminds me of the mountains where the rest of my family resides.”

“I’ve been lucky & grateful to get an opportunity to pursue my dreams but many Puerto Ricans have to pursue opportunities to live. There’s no denying that the U.S & Puerto Rico have complicated relations; Puerto Rico is a “free associated state” of the USA. I’ve always wondered ‘how can one be free of something but simultaneously associated with it?’. It makes me question the serious impacts of US Imperialism in Latin America. The government back home does make matters complex but laws made by the U.S. benefit themselves more than the locals.”

“My POSSE & I are committed to the Bard community as a whole — but in particular, to advocate for the artists on campus: musicians, dancers, visual artists & theater artists, to bring forth artists of color and from marginalized contexts by using our voices to empower, connect & create together. A long-term ally of Bard College, The Posse Foundation, for the first time is in collaboration with renowned theater personality Lin Manuel Miranda!”

Yadier Peréz ‘26 - San Juan

Article: Ariha Shahed ‘26
Photo: Sameem Sarabi ‘24

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Ariha Shahed ’26 Talks about Her Project for Peace in Bangladesh

Ariha Shahed secured funding through Projects for Peace to implement an initiative in Bangladesh. Ariha Shahed is a second-year student from Dhaka, Bangladesh, at Bard College, majoring in Economics and Finance with a focus on Politics. She is currently serving as the Vice President of the International Student Organization, CDO-Chair of the Economics Club, and an OSUN Leadership Fellow while working for the Beings@Bard initiative at the CCE Office. Ariha, a proud alum of the Davis UWC Scholars Program, graduated from one of the United World Colleges (UWC). Last year, she secured $10,000 funding through the Davis Projects for Peace to implement a successful initiative in Bangladesh, providing social protection and relief to floating populations in major urban railways. Ariha's interests extend to Human Rights, Advocacy, and International Relations, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact on global issues.

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Serra Sonmez ’25 and Grace Molinaro ’24 Have a Passion for Helping Others

Serra Sonmez ’25 and Grace Molinaro ’24 raise funds for Turkey, Syria, and Afghanistan. Serra Sonmez ’25 is a rising junior, intending to major in biology and computer science. She currently serves as a programming fellow for the Office of the Dean of Inclusive Excellence, where her work fundraising for Turkey and Syria is housed. Grace Molinaro ’24 just finished her fourth year in the five-year Bard Conservatory dual-degree program, majoring in Cello Performance and Middle Eastern Studies (with Arabic). As part of her civic engagement at Bard, she has helped organize two benefit concerts, one for the Afghan-student-led Arezo project for working children and women in Afghanistan, and one for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria.

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Shadin Nassar Talks about Civic Engagement at Al-Quds Bard

Shadin Nassar talks with Vice President of Civic Engagement Erin Cannan about her role as civic engagement coordinator at Al-Quds Bard College and her personal civic engagement work. An alumna of the Get Engaged Student Leadership Conference and Global Fellows Program, Nassar started a creative writing initiative as a student herself in 2017 in Palestinian high schools. Written Voices now operates under the name Upraised Voices, working with schools, marginalized areas, refugees, women, and other groups throughout Palestinian society to help them express themselves and own their own stories through creative writing and debate. “Seeing that what I am doing is affecting other people and improving their lives for the better, that keeps me going,” she says. In her current role, she inspires students to look for something they are passionate about that can help bring about positive changes in the Palestinian community and the global community. She encourages them to take advantage of existing opportunities, including cross-campus exchanges, to sustain their work.